Issue - meetings

Details of questions should be notified to the Democratic Services Manager at least three working days prior to the meeting - by 10am on Thursday 5 June 2025. Further information and a copy of the procedure are available from Democratic Services with details about speaking at Council to be found here: Public Speaking at Meetings.

The Lord Mayor reported the receipt of nine questions from members of the public and advised that supplementary questions should be short and directly related. Any questions that cannot be addressed during this Item will be answered in the minutes.

Question from James Diamond to Councillor Wood

“The December ECC motion called on DCC to increase the number of School Street what contribution could this make to the delivery of the 2040 Vision ‘By the time they are an adult, a child born in Exeter today will live in a city that is inclusive, healthy and sustainable?”

Response from Councillor Wood

“School Streets have the potential to increase the amount of walking and cycling achieved by children, young people and families. This would support improved physical and mental wellbeing and enable children and young people to be healthy and active through daily walking and cycling. Children who walk and cycle to school will be more likely to continue with sustainable travel behaviour as they get older, therefore contributing to the 2040 vision and the council net zero ambitions.”

In a supplementary question the member of the public asked the Portfolio Holder if he would commit to meet the new Leader of Devon County Council (DCC) and the new Portfolio Holder for transport to make most of the motion. The Portfolio Holder deferred to the Leader as there was more than one relevant Portfolio, and the Leader advised that there had been meetings scheduled at respective levels.

Question from Harriet Sharp to Councillor Vizzard

“In December 2024, ECC passed a potion calling on DCC to increase the number of School Streets in Exeter and to provide a progress report on this activity to the ECC Transport Member Working Group in six months’ time. Can you please provide a copy of this six-monthly report?”

Response from Councillor Vizzard

“Officers from the Council’s Live and Move team are engaged with Devon County Council sustainable transport team regarding active travel and school streets in particular. DCC maintains an active school streets application process that is open to all schools and we are aware that DCC have recently commissioned a project to support a number of Exeter Schools with Travel Plan measures. A progress report will be taken to the next Exeter Transport member Working Group on 18 September 2025”

In a supplementary question the member of the public asked if there had been any meetings between DCC officers and ECC officers since the motion. Councillor Vizzard advised he was not aware and asked officers to report back.

Question from Mark Hackett to Councillor Bialyk, Leader

“When the Council Tax officer ignores emails sent to the correct address about problems with the council tax what can a citizen do when ignored at Exeter City Council level?”

Response to Councillor Bialyk, Leader

“Citizens can refer to the Council’s corporate complaints policy and can make a formal complaint if they think we have:

• not resolved an issue or problem at the first point of contact;
• done  ...  view the full minutes text for item 39